Paris, July 20, 2018 - Eurazeo is pleased to announce the launch of exclusive discussions with PAI Partners for the sale of its stake in Asmodee, a leading international games publisher and distributor, based on an enterprise value of €1.2 billion.

As the publisher of some of the best known franchises internationally, such as Catan, Ticket to Ride, Splendor and Dobble/Spot it !, and a distributor of Pokémon and Magic trading cards, Asmodee has emerged in recent years as one of the highest performing and most innovative players in its market, globally.

Driven by Stéphane Carville and his teams and supported by Eurazeo, the company has transformed substantially, from a Franco-European distributor in 2013 to a global publisher today, capitalizing on the value of its intellectual property. In four years, revenue grew from €125 million, generated 48% in France, to €442 million, generated 75% internationally, representing an average annual growth rate of 37%. At the same time, publishing revenues increased to nearly two-thirds of games sales. The Group completed 20 acquisitions during this period, representing over €140 million in revenue.

Eurazeo’s sales proceeds from this transaction could total around €580 million for Eurazeo and its investment partners, and €435 million for Eurazeo’s stake representing a return on its initial investment of 4.0x and an IRR of 35%.

Under French law, the signature of a purchase agreement is subject to a preliminary information and consultation process involving employee representatives. The disposal is could be finalized by Q4 2018, following the completion of this process and supervisory authority approval.

About EurazeoWith a diversified portfolio of over €16 billion in assets under management, including over €10 billion from investment partners, Eurazeo is a leading global investment company with offices in Paris and Luxembourg, New York, Shanghai and Sao Paulo. Its purpose and mission is to identify, accelerate and enhance the transformation potential of the companies in which it invests. The firm covers most private equity segments through its five investment divisions – Eurazeo Capital, Eurazeo Croissance, Eurazeo PME, Eurazeo Patrimoine and Eurazeo Brands – and through three Idinvest business divisions: Venture Capital, Private Debt and Dedicated Portfolio & Funds. Its solid institutional and family shareholder base, robust financial structure free of structural debt, and flexible investment horizon enable Eurazeo to support its companies over the long term. As a global long-term shareholder, the firm offers deep sector expertise, a gateway to global markets, and a stable foothold for transformational growth to the companies it supports.

20 July 2018. Asmodee Group is a leading international games publisher and distributor with operations located in Europe, North America, and China. Asmodee’s best known titles, either published or distributed on behalf of key publishing partners, include Catan, Ticket to Ride, Splendor, Dobble/Spot it!, Star Wars: X-Wing, 7 Wonders and Jungle Speed. In some European countries, Asmodee also distributes trading card games such as Pokemon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh! Asmodee realised a turnover of 442 million in 2017, 75% of which was made outside France, its home market.

PAI intends to support the current management team in its plans to grow the business further through international expansion both organically and by acquisition.

The acquisition of Asmodee would be the first investment made by PAI Europe VII, which reached a successful final close at €5.1 billion in March 2018 after less than six months of active marketing.

Stéphane Carville, CEO of Asmodee Group, commented: “We would like to thank Eurazeo for their support over the last few years, during which we have grown to become one of the leading players in the games publishing and distribution space. We have been very impressed by the PAI team, their operational approach as well as their knowledge of the consumer goods industry globally, and we very much look forward to continuing our ascent in partnership with them.”

Gaëlle d'Engremont, Partner at PAI Partners, commented: “Asmodee represents a unique opportunity to invest in a fast-growing platform within the gaming industry, as part of PAI’s strategy to invest in attractive consumer goods industries. Stéphane and his team have an unparalleled track record in driving profitable growth both organically and through acquisitions, and we are delighted that they have chosen to partner with us. We are excited by the company’s growth prospects, which include further developing Asmodee’s position in the core hobby gaming market and successfully diversifying the group’s main brands onto other platforms. We look forward to working together to deliver on our ambitious objectives.”

The relevant employee works councils of Asmodee will be consulted in respect of the transaction and completion of the transaction will be subject to regulatory approval and other customary conditions precedent.

About PAI PartnersPAI Partners is a leading European private equity firm with offices in Paris, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Munich, New York and Stockholm. PAI manages €12.3 billion of dedicated buyout funds. Since 1994, the company has completed 68 transactions in 11 countries, representing €50 billion in transaction value. PAI is characterised by its industrial approach to ownership combined with its sector-based organisation. PAI Partners provide the companies they own with the financial and strategic support required to pursue their development and enhance strategic value creation.http://www.paipartners.com

About Asmodee GroupAsmodee Group is a leading international games publisher and distributor with operations located in Europe, North America and China. Asmodee’s best known titles, either published or distributed on behalf of key publishing partners, include Catan, Ticket to Ride, Pandemic, Dead of Winter, Splendor, Dobble/Spot it!, Star Wars: X-Wing, 7 Wonders, Dixit, Takenoko, Abyss, Timeline, Jungle Speed and The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow. In some European countries, Asmodee also distributes trading card games such as Pokémon and Magic. Asmodee has headquarters in Guyancourt, France.Learn more at corporate.asmodee.com.

Eurazeo hat geschrieben:Eurazeo announces the sale of Asmodee after a successful transformation

Paris, October 23, 2018 – Eurazeo announced today the effective sale to PAI Partners of its investmentin Asmodee, a leading international games publisher and distributor.

This deal perfectly reflects the in-depth transformation successfully completed in recent years by Stéphane Carville and his teams with Eurazeo’s support. In four years, Asmodee's revenue has grown from €125 million to €442 million, representing an average annual growth rate of 37%, and is now generated 75% internationally. At the same time, publishing revenues increased to nearly two-thirds of games sales. The Group also completed 20 acquisitions, representing over €140 million in revenue.

The deal generating sales proceeds of €565 million for Eurazeo and its investor partners, including €426 million for Eurazeo, i.e., a return on the initial investment of nearly 4x and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of almost 35%.

About Eurazeo

With a diversified portfolio of more than €17 billion in assets under management, including over €11 billion from third parties, Eurazeo is a leading global investment company with offices in Paris, Luxembourg, New York, Shanghai and Sao Paulo. Its purpose and mission is to identify, accelerate and enhance the transformation potential of the companies in which it invests. The firm covers most private equity segments through its five investment divisions – Eurazeo Capital, Eurazeo Croissance, Eurazeo PME, Eurazeo Patrimoine and Eurazeo Brands – and through three Idinvest business divisions: Venture Capital, Private Debt and Dedicated Portfolio & Funds. Its solid institutional and family shareholder base, robust financial structure free of structural debt, and flexible investment horizon enable Eurazeo to support its companies over the long term. As a global long-term shareholder, the firm offers deep sector expertise, a gateway to global markets, and a stable foothold for transformational growth to the companies it supports.

Asmodee hat geschrieben:Bezzerwizzer Nordic joins AsmodeeAsmodee Group has announced today the acquisition of the game studio Bezzerwizzer Nordic. Established in 2006 by Birgitte and Jesper Bülow, Bezzerwizzer is one of the leading game publishers in the Nordics with its main titles Bezzerwizzer and Hint. Asmodee already distributes both games in Nordic countries.

“We are excited and proud to become part of Asmodee. Having built a strong Nordic position in trivia and party games, we are ready to bring our games to players in other parts of the world as a member of the Asmodee family, who shares our dedication to high quality board games.” said Jesper Bülow, Bezzerwizzer Nordics CEO.

Bezzerwizzer becomes Asmodee’s 14th studio and brings its expertise in developing successful trivia games with creative developing & marketing teams to the Group.

Asmodee has offices in 18 countries: USA, Canada, France, UK, Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, The Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Poland, Chile, Belgium, Brazil, Taiwan and China. The company also relies on 14 publishing studios spread around the world and distributes products in over 50 countries.

“We are delighted to welcome Birgitte, Jesper and the Bezzerwizzer team into the Asmodee family. Thanks to our global distribution network we will bring the studio’s products to new players around the world.” said Stéphane Carville CEO of Asmodee Group.

About AsmodeeAsmodee Group is a leading international games publisher and distributor with operations located in Europe, North America, Asia and South America. Asmodee’s best known titles, either published or distributed on behalf of key publishing partners, include Catan, Ticket to Ride, Splendor, Dobble/Spot it! Star Wars: X-Wing, 7 Wonders, Dixit, Takenoko, Abyss, Timeline, Jungle Speed, The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow. In some European countries, Asmodee also distributes trading card games such as Pokémon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh! Asmodee has headquarters in Guyancourt, France.

About BezzerwizzerBezzerwizzer Nordic is a leading Nordic board game developer and publishes board games mainly in Scandinavia. Key brands are the trivia game Bezzerwizzer and the party game Hint, both games characterized by a passion for easy-to-learn mechanics and great editorial content. Bezzerwizzer Nordic is based in Copenhagen, Denmark.